A YOUNG dad who sank his teeth into a police officer and was said to have assaulted the mother of his child has been jailed for four months.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Kevin Gamble, 25, left PC David Hannah with a bite mark on his arm and needing hospital treatment after the attack on May 31.

The officer had been called in the early hours after Gamble had arrived home from the pub and rowed with girlfriend Kerry Lawless.

Gamble later smashed the front door of her home at 1am after they split up following a rocky two-year relationship.

He was also said to have hit Miss Lawless across the head when they met up on a night out and told her: "The fun has just begun."

Miss Lawless, mother of a month-old baby, arrived home at 7.30am to find her house "trashed".

She rang Gamble to ask if he had done it, he told her he was not responsible but then asked her: "Why, do you like it?" the court was told.

The defendant, of Wasdale Close, Padiham, admitted police assault, police obstruction and damage.

David Macro, prosecuting, told the court police were called after Gamble arrived home, got angry with Miss Lawless and caused damage.

When officers arrived, the defendant was asleep at the top of the stairs, but PC Hannah awoke and arrested him. Gamble started to struggle violently and tried to throw himself down the stairs.

The officer attempted to prevent Gamble from injuring himself but he bit him.

Other officers helped and when the defendant was later questioned, he claimed he had been the victim of police assault. PC Hannah was left with a two inch by two inch mark on his forearm and had recently been given a tetanus jab. Graeme Tindall, defending, said Gamble's conduct had been totally unacceptable and he had been drunk.